Zi Jiao, MSc Environment, Politics and Society

During her time at UCL, Zi Jiao developed a strong foundation in critical environmental research and participatory methodologies.

Now, they share insights into their academic experiences, the highlights of the MSc programme, and advice for future students.

Why did you choose MSc Environment, Politics and Society at UCL?

“I wanted a programme that critically explored socio-environmental issues through a political ecology lens, with strong methodological training and flexibility to shape my research direction.

“UCL stood out: modules like Environmental Knowledges and Postcolonial Cultural Geography aligned with my interests, and early conversations with Professor Andrew Barry gave me confidence in the Department’s research culture.

“Involvement in student-led initiatives also made UCL feel like the right fit.”

What was a highlight of the course?

“The quality of teaching really stood out — Dr Kovács’ clarity and support, Professor Barry’s and Professor Dittmer’s lectures, and Dr Coulter’s quantitative methods module, which gave me skills I still use.

 “Working with my dissertation supervisor, Dr Skarlatidou, was a highlight; her generous, detailed supervision and the Extreme Citizen Science group deepened my understanding of participatory research and ethics.”

What are you doing now, and what does a typical day look like for you?

“I’m currently finishing my MPhil at Cambridge, deep in dissertation mode and exploring new research questions.

“It’s exciting, though managing the workload and bringing ideas together can be daunting.

“A typical day isn’t dramatic: I start with morning yoga and a jog if the weather’s kind, to clear my head before diving into reading, writing, and trying to shape scattered ideas into something coherent.

“When working in the departmental library, I always find inspiration chatting with peers about their research.

“Evenings are for cooking something spicy and listening to music — I’m currently on a Krautrock streak.”

Any advice for future students?

“Read widely, manage your time well, and stay open to perspectives that challenge you — especially those that go against academic trends. That’s often where the real breakthroughs happen.”